Monday, December 31, 2012

63 years late, Postal Service delivers calendar

Calendar delivered 63 years later

"... The 1950 Pennsylvania Railroad calendar never made it to James W. Flanagan, general manager of the Scranton Times. He would never need it: he died in December 1949. But on Friday, 63 years after his death, the U.S. Postal Service made a delivery...."    

This Article is From: citizensvoice.com Read our latest posts! .

Saturday, December 29, 2012

APWU 2013 COLA increase information

APWU 2013 COLA increase information

"...The 1st COLA will become effective the first full pay period after the release of the January 2013 CPI-W, tentatively scheduled for March 9, 2013 (pay period 07-2013, pay date March 29, 2013). Note: both the 1st and 3rd COLAs under the 2010 National Agreement will be effective on this date. The 2nd COLA will be $375.00 per year, $14.40 per pay period, $0.18 per hour and will be effective the second full pay period following the release of the July 2013 index. The expected effective date will be Sept. 7, 2013 (Pay Period 20-2013). Note: both the 2nd and 4th COLAs under the 2010 National Agreement will be effective on this date...."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Friday, December 28, 2012

Large reward offered in postal service robberies

$100,000 Reward Offered For Information In Postal Carrier Robberies

"...Robbers are targeting mail carriers in the Denver metro area and the U.S. Postal Service has put up a $100,000 reward...."    

This Article is From: denver.cbslocal.com Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Mail carrier robbed in Englewood

2nd armed robbery of postal service carrier reported

"...Postal Service Letter Carrier was robbed at knife-point in the vicinity of West Dartmouth Avenue and South Delaware Street in Englewood. ..."    

This Article is From: www.9news.com Read our latest posts! .

Monday, December 24, 2012

Example of the future privatization of the postal service

First-class disaster

"...Before she left the president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers said: "If you compare the four years before Greene with the four years under Greene's management… injuries have gone up 15.4 per cent and grievances have gone up 59.3 per cent." ..."    

This Article is From: www.morningstaronline.co.uk Read our latest posts! .

Sunday, December 23, 2012

UPS driver steals iPad Mini after FedEx delivery

UPS delivery man steals iPad Mini after FedEx delivered it

"...Alverson contacted UPS over the phone to complain about the theft, but felt like he was “getting the run around” by the people handling the claim according to an interview with KHOU News. After posting the video footage to YouTube and Vimeo on Wednesday night,..."    

This Article is From: www.digitaltrends.com Read our latest posts! .

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Metro Post same day delivery for some, but not Universal Service for all

USPS Kicks off Same Day Delivery with Gourmet Gifts

"...Metro Post will be available for purchases involving four of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM's gourmet gift brands, including popcorn and specialty treats from The Popcorn Factory; cookies and baked gifts from Cheryl's; premium chocolates and confections from Fannie May fine chocolates; and gift baskets and towers from 1-800-Baskets.com...."    

This Article is From: www.ecommercebytes.com Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Postal employees rescued

Fort Wayne police rescue 4 postal workers after armed robbery

"...Police formed a perimeter around the post office and called for city SWAT teams, which entered the building and rescued the four employees, police spokeswoman Officer Raquel Foster said in the statement..."    

This Article is From: www.news-sentinel.com Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Disgusting abuse of military by Postal Service

"...A U.S. Postal Service employee who was fired for “excessive use of military service” when he tried to return to work after four years on active duty with the National Guard must be reinstated with over $2 million in back pay..."    

This Article is From: www.stripes.com Read our latest posts!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Postal Workers Working Hard to Save U.S. Postal Service and Jobs

Postal workers stage second hunger strike as House-Senate talks on legislation continue

"...As Senate-House negotiations continue for a possible year-end deal to help the financially struggling U.S. Postal Service, a small band of protesters plan to launch their second hunger strike in six months on Tuesday...."    

This Article is From: www.washingtonpost.com Read our latest posts! .

Monday, December 17, 2012

PMG Donahoe earns nearly as much as the President of the United States of America?

Postal chief's $384,000 pay sparks call for cut

"...Tester compared executive pay at the U.S. Postal Service to the annual salaries made by the Secretary of Treasury, Tim Geithner, and the Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta -- $199,700...."    

This Article is From: cnn.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, December 14, 2012

Killer of postal employee says killing "didn't bother me one bit"

Former corrections officer confesses to postal killings on tape shown to judge "...A former corrections officer told investigators last year that killing two postal workers in 2010 in Henning "didn't bother me one bit"..."    
This Article is From: www.commercialappeal.com Read our latest posts! .

Google releases top search terms of 2012

Google releases top search terms of 2012

"...Either some of us are entirely too lazy to click the mail tab at the top of Google, or we are really interested in news about the United States Postal Service..."    
This Article is From: www.myfoxboston.com Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Postal official accused of taking payments from contractors...

Conn. postal official charged with bribery

"...postal official has been accused of taking payments from contractors and steering money to a company he allegedly established under someone else's name...."    

This Article is From: www.sfgate.com Read our latest posts! .

Postal employee impaled by pole during accident

911 call: Postal worker impaled by pole during crash

"...A steel rod goes through a postal worker's body during a freak accident on the job. Twenty-seven years delivering mail, and she never imagined this kind of job injury...."    

This Article is From: www.myfoxphoenix.com Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Postal Worker Shooting

Postal Worker Shot While Delivering Mail In Cahokia

"...Police are investigating after a postal worker was shot in Cahokia, Illinois...."    

This Article is From: fox2now.com Read our latest posts! .

Lance Armstrong resisted turning over records sought by U.S Postal Service

Lance Armstrong tried to keep documents from USPS

"...Lance Armstrong resisted turning over records sought by U.S Postal Service investigators, then tried to keep the inquiry under seal and out of the public eye, according to recently released court documents...."    

This Article is From: www.washingtontimes.com Read our latest posts! .

Monday, December 10, 2012

Late mail: Better late than never

Man receives Christmas snail mail from mother 69 years late

"...Postal mail is often referred to as "snail mail" because it is much slower than electronic messages, however this story perhaps gives new meaning to the phrase...."    

This Article is From: www.digitaljournal.com Read our latest posts! .

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Alaska resident angered over mail delays

Postal delays

"...I have lived here since 1959, and I have never seen a mess like the Postal Service is now. In the past, I have sent mail to Missouri, and it made it in three days. To have something mailed from the Lower 48, you have to pay two to three times more in postage because we are supposedly overseas...."    

This Article is From: newsminer.com Read our latest posts! .

Universal Service? Is your local Post Office providing this service in your area?

U.S. Postal Service opens branches on Sundays during the holidays

"...Four Orlando branches of the post office will be open on Sunday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 16 to give you ..."    

This Article is From: www.cfnews13.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, December 7, 2012

James Island mailman faces second charge of 'Dusting' (huffing 'Dust Off')

James Island mailman faces second charge of sniffing canned air

"...In the parking lot, Hampton’s boss at the Postal Service said Hampton recently had been cleared for work after he was arrested in early November. His supervisor told a police officer Tuesday that she had found Hampton slumped in..."    

This Article is From: www.postandcourier.com

More on 'dusting'?

Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Postal worker bites and punches postal service agents during arrest

Columbus postal worker to plead guilty to mail theft

"...Federal authorities say Postal Service agents saw Terrence McLean open envelopes and remove the contents while sorting mail..."    

This Article is From: www.cantonrep.com Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Postal Service awards $30m contract to firm it is suing for $390m

USPS awards $30m contract to firm it is suing for $390m

"...The US Postal Service has awarded a $30m contract to Northrop Grumman Corporation at the same time it is attempting to sue the company over breaches of another contract, seeking a nine-figure sum...."    

This Article is From: postandparcel.info Read our latest posts! .

Monday, December 3, 2012

Florida postal mail carrier attempts to kill husband with tuna fish sandwich

Postal worker 'uses tuna fish sandwich full of crushed pills' in attempt to kill husband

"...A postal worker has been accused of trying to kill her husband with a tuna fish sandwich...."    

This Article is From: www.dailymail.co.uk Read our latest posts! .

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Is this the same fate for the U.S. Postal Service with nationwide mail processing facility closures over the next few years?


Welcome to Postal Hell: Photos Reveal the Organised Chaos that is...


But it’s not just the sheer amount of mail here that’s worrying; the attitude of at least one member of staff leads us to believe that no amount of “fragile” and “keep upright” stickers adhered to our precious cargo is going to make an ounce of difference at this particular sorting office


This article is from: rocketnews24.com

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Saturday, December 1, 2012

Get your Santa letter postmarked from the North Pole

Get a Letter From Santa Through US Postal Service Program

"...Your good little boys and girls will receive a letter postmarked from the North Pole. ..."    

This Article is From: upperstclair.patch.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, November 30, 2012

Jacksonville, Florida Postal Workers Win Piece of Powerball

Postal Workers Won Powerball

"...Lottery officials tell us the winning ticket was purchased at the Publix on Beach and Kernan. They say the postal workers ..."    

This Article is From: www.actionnewsjax.com Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Free 2012 North Pole Postmark Holiday Ideas

Elf on the Shelf- how does yours arrive?

"...I used a priority mail box from the post office because I have so many of them around for sending things out it was easy to grab, and I like that it already says "priority". They are free from the US Post Office, but I recommend if you pick one up, use it for your Elf and then actually mail something with it. The post mark I downloaded from 2012 Christmas North Pole Postmark Cancellation and it is also free-thank you to them for providing that!..."    

This Article is From: www.mommysavers.com Read our latest posts! .

PMG Donahoe: "We're required by law to provide universal service to the American public at a universal price"

U.S. Postmaster General: "We're facing our own fiscal cliff"

"...Privatization of the Postal Service has been a topic of discussion for years, but the issue is delivering to the areas the U.S.P.S. does. "We're required by law to provide universal service to the American public at a universal price," he said. "(FedEx and UPS) are great companies. But there are many parts of the country that FedEx and UPS don't deliver, but maybe two times a week. If we had the flexibility to change delivery schedules, we would make money, too."..."    

This Article is From: www.cbsnews.com Read our latest posts! .

Postal Service false woes are great for private Mailbox franchises

What Do the USPS Financial Troubles Mean for Mailbox Franchises and Independent Mailbox Store Owners?

"...The Mail Box Stores, the largest independent non-franchise developer of mailbox stores in North America. According to her, while overall the number of deliveries for USPS may have decreased the decline in mail overall is not necessarily down as much as the USPS numbers may make it seem. Increased population..."    

This Article is From: www.equities.com Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

While Postal Service Works to Close Huntsville (Alabama) Mail Processing Facility, Pitney Bowes Software’s Data Analytics Says Huntsville Ranks in Top 50 for Major* Metro Areas for Projected Percentage Growth

Pitney Bowes Software’s Data Analytics Says Houston, Atlanta and Washington DC Will Add the Most New Households in Next Five Years

"...“Projected household growth is a critical indicator for the economic prospects of a specific geographic area, and this data can help real estate, retail and a range of other businesses, plan their growth strategy scientifically,” said John O’Hara, President of Pitney Bowes Software. “It is no longer acceptable to make strategic business decisions on gut feel alone. Given the plethora of data, and the advanced tools for analyzing it, business leaders can stay ahead of real estate trends for planning.”..."    
*More than 100,000 households

This Article is From: Pitney Bowes Read our latest posts! .

Is USPS piling consolidations into phase 2 during phase 1 Post-Implementation Reviews

Network Rationalization Update, with detailed schedule of changes

"...It's still possible that phase 2 will never happen. The Postal Regulatory Commission's advisory opinion basically recommended against it, at least until the Postal Service could see the effects of phase 1 and do some Post-Implementation Reviews. Since the Postal Service first announced the Network Rationalization initiative in December 2011, it has changed the plan several times...."    

This Article is From: www.savethepostoffice.com Read our latest posts! .

Monday, November 26, 2012

Hubbard v USPS Settlement - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Employees who...

Hubbard v USPS Settlement - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Employees who...

Excerpt from website: "...The settlement agreement affects the following individuals, who are considered eligible class members: All current and former Deaf and Hard of Hearing Employees who were employed by the Postal Service between November 14, 2001, and the Effective Date, who allege that: (1) they were denied communication accommodations, including interpreters, for critical workplace meetings and events; (2) they were denied TTY for phone communications; (3) they were denied emergency evacuation notification systems; (4) they were subjected to a hostile work environment and/or harassment due to their deafness or hearing impairment; and/or (5) they were denied promotional opportunities and/or assistance to pursue promotional opportunities within the Postal Service due to their deafness or hearing impairment. ..."    

This Article is From: hubbardsettlement.com Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Privatizing the Postal Service

Business takes over small post office

"...Village post offices are operated by local businesses contracting with the postal service, and offer a range of products and services including stamps and flat-rate packaging...."    

This Article is From: www.wishtv.com Read our latest posts! .

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Postal Service updated consolidation list - November 16, 2012

USPS RELEASES UPDATED NETWORK CONSOLIDATION LIST

"...By letter dated November 16, the Postal Service has notified the NPMHU of an updated list of facilities that will be impacted in February 2013. The NPMHU will be meeting with Postal Headquarters to determine the impacts, by Installation, and to ensure that all appropriate Contractual provisions are adhered to regarding the affected Mail Handlers. ..."    

This Article is From: www.npmhu.org

an updated list of facilities that will be impacted in February 2013

Read our latest posts! .

Friday, November 16, 2012

Are more USPS buyouts and early retirements coming?

Lynch optimistic about solving U.S. Postal Service's financial woes

Congressman Stephen Lynch

"...It would allow the USPS to offer buyouts and early retirement packages to 100,000 employees, and authorize a switch to five-day delivery – eliminating Saturday mail service – if the Postal Service cannot come up with other cost savings within two years...."    
This Article is From: www.metrowestdailynews.com Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A Postal Service Double Standard? You Decide

While it predicts 20% hike in festive package volumes, the Postal Service, in Mail Handler contract arbitration hearings, has proposed absolutely no general wage increases, no cost-of-living adjustments for the mail handlers that actually physically work the mail while at the same time the USPS Execs Get Illegally High Salaries Admid $11.6 Bil Loss. .

Postal career retirees being replaced by non-career employees

US Postal Service points to dozens of retirements as it pushes for more NM hires

"...The jobs are described as transitional and postal support positions. None of the jobs offer benefits, but some come with the potential of permanent employment with the agency. The pay ranges from $12.38 to $16 per hour...."    

This Article is From: www.therepublic.com Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Draconian Postal Service Proposals in Union Contract Arbitration Presentation Would Rape Workers

Mail Handler Contract Update #14

"...What follows from these arguments is a series of draconian proposals from the Postal Service, including – for current mail handlers – absolutely no general wage increases, no cost-of-living adjustments, and a drastic increase in employee contributions for health insurance to the current rate paid by federal employees. Another proposal from the Postal Service seeks to substantially modify, and effectively eliminate, the current no lay-off clause...."    

This Article is From: www.npmhu.org Read our latest posts! .

Gift Idea: Upcycled Mail Sack Tote

Upcycled Mail Sack Tote

"...Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night shall keep you from carrying it all to wherever your travels may take you. Handmade from repurposed mail sacks, this sturdy, canvas tote delivers edgy style to your daily stash of cards, keys, notes and electronics...."    

This Article is From: www.terracycle.com Read our latest posts! .

USPS pension surplus projection way down

Projected Postal Service pension surplus shrinks

"...benefits covering about 471,000 current postal employees shrank to $2.6 billion from $10.9 billion a year earlier, John Berry, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, said in an Oct. 30 letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe...."    

This Article is From: www.pionline.com Read our latest posts! .

Monday, November 12, 2012

Why is the flag upside down at Clarkson Post Office

Old Glory upside down at Clarkson post office

"...At first, Eric Ferguson thought the upside-down flag flying outside the Clarkson post office on Lake Road was an honest mistake. But with the flag still broadcasting a distress signal five days after he first notified post office staff of the error, he isn’t so sure...."    

This Article is From: www.democratandchronicle.com Read our latest posts! .

Postal carrier thought dead man was Halloween decoration

US Postal Service defends mailman who stepped around dead man

"...the carrier told them he thought the body was a mannequin, a decoration left over from Halloween...."    

This Article is From: www.fox8live.com Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Anthony Vegliante: "I don't really have a concern about work falling between the cracks."

No new buyouts on Postal Service horizon

Anthony J. Vegliante
"..."I don't really have a concern about work falling between the cracks. And the reason I say that is because the Postal Service is probably at an all-time high of delivery service to its customers," Vegliante said. "Our customer satisfaction measurements are all increasing...."    
This Article is From: www.federalnewsradio.com Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Squirrel goes postal in Birmingham, Alabama - takes out power

Power restored downtown, squirrel was culprit

"...The Jefferson County courthouse, the Birmingham Board of Education and the U.S. Postal Service were among those without electricity...."    

This Article is From: al.com Read our latest posts! .

"Place Stamp Here" Cause Voting Postage Issue

U.S. Postal Service Considering Billing Board Of Election For Absentee Ballot Postage Confusion

"...The ballot turned out to be heavier than the board originally thought, and the postage required on them increased to 65 cents. Instead of noting on the envelop how many stamps are required, it just reads “Place stamp here.”..."    

This Article is From: www.10tv.com Read our latest posts! .

Postmaster General denies request to "cease this practice" of delivering postage-short ballots

In Oregon secretary of state's race, Brown and Buehler continue to spar over ballot postage issue

"...The issue arose in the last few days following the release of an Oct. 31 letter that Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe sent to Trout saying he was denying Trout's request to "cease this practice" of delivering postage-short ballots. ..."    

This Article is From: www.oregonlive.com Read our latest posts! .

Monday, November 5, 2012

Springfield, Oregon mail processing facility rallies for survival

Protesters rally to save postal facility

"...The plant has already scaled back their operations and are closed on Saturdays. The US Postal Service said that it plans to close the plant on April 14th, 2014; the day before tax day. The Post Office portion of the location would remain open...."    

This Article is From: www.kval.com Read our latest posts! .

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Improvements at poor performing postal facility

12 INVESTIGATES: Improvements at USPS Sandston plant

"...major problems with mail delivery in Central Virginia. Packages, bills, letters and magazines sitting at the Sandston Distribution Center, untouched and delivered weeks late. ..."    

This Article is From: www.nbc12.com Read our latest posts! .

Hurricane Sandy disrupts postal delivery

Sandy Swamps Post Office and Other Shippers

"..."The U.S. Postal Service is committed to the safety of its employees and the delivery of mail and packages to every address in America," Patricia Licata, a USPS senior public relations representative of told BusinessNewsDaily in a prepared statement. "We regularly deliver mail in adverse conditions and therefore, where it’s safe to do so, USPS will continue to deliver the mail in areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy. ..."    

This Article is From: www.livescience.com Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Postal employees consider buyout

Postal workers consider buyout

"...The local eligible workers represent about 40 percent of the 395 members of the American Postal Workers Union Akron Local 120. They work at the Akron mail processing and distribution center on Wolf Ledges Parkway and at post offices, stations and branches in the Akron area...."    

This Article is From: www.ohio.com Read our latest posts! .

Birmingham, Alabama admits mail problem

Postal Service acknowledges Birmingham absentee ballot problem

"...She started asking questions and received concerning answers. USPS says mail processing equipment erroneously read the return address as the mailing address. They did not specify if the error occurred in Birmingham or in Montgomery, where the mail was post marked...."    

This Article is From: www.cbs42.com Read our latest posts! .

Monday, October 29, 2012

Postal Service doesn’t deliver to many Navajo Nation homes

TAGS: Universal Service Obligation

Democracy in 'Suspense': Why Arizona's Native Voters Are in Peril

"...Like most people living on the Navajo Nation, White uses a PO Box. The US Postal Service doesn’t deliver to homes because many of them are far off from paved highways where there are no streets—much less street names. The occurrence is so common that Arizona’s..."    

This Article is From: www.thenation.com Read our latest posts! .

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Marijuana shipped through the U.S. Postal Service

Cops arrest man after learning that candy is really marijuana

“Jolly Lolly” marijuana lollipops

"...detectives arrived to discover chocolate-flavored marijuana, hard candy containing marijuana, 640 “Jolly Lolly” marijuana lollipops and 5 pounds of regular marijuana, authorities said...."    

This Article is From: www.buffalonews.com Read our latest posts! .

Another postal property purchased

Fiber-optic data firm buys former Postal Service building in Nashua

"...In what could be considered a metaphor for changes rattling much of society, a building created to move physical pieces of mail in trucks will now be devoted to moving bits of data in fiber-optic cables...."    

This Article is From: www.nashuatelegraph.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, October 26, 2012

Check latest updates on USPS workforce changes

Check latest updates on workforce changes

"...USPS wants to keep its employees informed and prepared during times of change. That’s why it has developed dedicated websites to keep employees and managers current...."    

This Article is From: usps.gov Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Postal Service officer received $61,250 performance bonus last year

Postal Service, IG at odds on whether top exec’s $306K compensation package over legal limit

"...The officer, who was not named, made a total last year of $306,250 in annual salary, pension and bonus, IG auditors found in a newly released report. That would be well above the maximum pay limit of $276,840..."    

This Article is From: federaltimes.com Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Valpak: USPS putting its own financial health at risk

US direct mail giant urges rethink on Standard Mail pricing

"...rate increase set to come into effect on 27th January, 2013, will not be high enough to cover the costs of the Standard Mail Flats service. The company said in failing to meet its costs, USPS was breaking US postal law, and putting its own financial health at risk..."    

This Article is From: postandparcel.info Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Postal Service cheaper services will lead to FedEx gains

FedEx predicts 13% record holiday gain led by cheaper shipment services

"...Cheaper offerings such as SmartPost, where the U.S. Postal Service makes the final delivery, and ground delivery will lead FedEx’s gains..."    

This Article is From: www.washingtonpost.com Read our latest posts! .

2012 Federal Benefits Open Season

2012 Federal Benefits Open Season

"...2012 Federal Benefits Open Season -- November 12 through December 10, 2012. ..."    

This Article is From: www.opm.gov Read our latest posts! .

Monday, October 22, 2012

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Octomom thinks postal mail carrier is spying on her

Octomom: I Think My Mail Lady Is Spying on Me!

"...Octomom believes her mail lady isn't just delivering the mail ... she's delivering information about her to other people ... and Octo wants her fired for it! Octo's rep tells TMZ her security caught the mail lady..."    

This Article is From: www.tmz.com Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Postal Service sides with APWU represented craft on AFCS-200 assignment issue

Postal Service sides with Clerks on one of the AFCS-200 assignments

"...In a letter faxed to the NPMHU office on Friday evening, September 28, 2012, the Postal Service has outlined its intent to assign one “operator position” on the new AFCS-200 to the clerical craft. The primary craft for the induction activities on the AFCS-200 will remain with the mail handler craft. ..."    

This Article is From: www.npmhu.org Read our latest posts! .

Casuals in Lieu of - a history

Casual Control
A historical perspective by Mr. William Burrus, former APWU President

"...Resolution of a remedy was achieved and thousands of employees were provided payment for the assignment of work to improperly hired casual employees. Perhaps even more important was the system that was agreed to for future hiring of casuals. Prior to the union challenge, each office was free to employ casuals without respect to the number hired in other offices so there was no internal control over compliance with the 5% limitation. As a gesture to resolve the dispute postal management offered in arbitration to implement headquarters’ control to monitor the hiring of casuals. This voluntary means of control was incorporated into the arbitration award and the union achieved a means of monitoring the use of casuals to ensure that the contractual limits were not exceeded. ..."    

This Article is From: burrusjournal.org Read our latest posts! .

PSE's now permitted as vacation reliefs in small offices

APWU, USPS Sign Agreement For Offices Without a Local Union Structure

"...negotiated the changes in the memorandum, which now permits Postal Support Employees (PSEs) from nearby offices to be utilized in small offices in order to provide vacation relief...."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Monday, October 15, 2012

Post Office reductions eroding service?

Postal cuts meant to help small towns may still hurt

"...reductions as eroding a service that many in small towns have come to rely upon. As postmaster, Rust said she spent many nights at the Buffalo Post Office because she was snowed in, or because a blizzard was on its way and she knew she wouldn’t make it in the next day from her home in Casselton...."    

This Article is From: www.grandforksherald.com Read our latest posts! .

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Retirement incentive goal is to get eligible employees to retire

USPS, postal union agree on retirement incentives

"...“Our goal was to achieve an incentive for members who are ready to end their postal careers; to ensure that no groups of employees are excluded, and to lessen the hardships of excessing for those who remain,” Cliff Guffey, the president of APWU, said in a statement. “This agreement accomplishes those objectives.” ..."    

This Article is From: thehill.com Read our latest posts! .

Monday, October 1, 2012

APWU Retirement Incentive - Buyout

APWU, USPS Negotiate Retirement Incentive

"...The APWU has negotiated a retirement incentive agreement that awards eligible full-time career employees a $15,000 payment in two installments, President Cliff Guffey has announced. The first installment will be $10,000; the second will be $5,000...."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Postal Service will not make payment mandated by Congress

U.S. Postal Service will skip out on controversial payment

"...Last Wednesday, Sept. 26, the U.S. Postal Service announced that it will not make the scheduled payment of $5.6 billion to prefund retiree health benefits, which was due Sunday, Sept. 30. The payment was mandated by Congress under a 2006 law ..."    

This Article is From: www.ballardnewstribune.com Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Union worker losses helped achieve one billion dollar annual savings

Missed Opportunity

"...Having achieved the one billion dollar annual savings from the APWU contract and anticipated cost reductions from service standard changes and consolidations, Congress is in no hurry to travel the political minefield of five day delivery and shredding of the negotiations process. ..."    

This Article is From: burrusjournal.org Read our latest posts! .

Monday, September 24, 2012

Romney would make deeper changes to the government workforce if federal employees weren’t unionized

Romney wishes some feds weren’t unionized

"... Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney intimated that he would make deeper changes to the government workforce if federal employees weren’t unionized, during secretly taped remarks at a recent private fundraiser in Florida...."    

This Article is From: www.govexec.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, September 21, 2012

Please stop crashing into our post offices

Floridians Urged to Stop Crashing Into Post Offices

"...The US Postal Service has asked the people of Florida to please stop crashing their cars into its post offices...."    

This Article is From: www.newser.com Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Postal Service Retirement - Best Time to Retire

Best time to retire from USPS

"...I am a CSRS USPS employee (age 56 with 35 years’ service) thinking about retiring at the end of the year. Do the same dates hold true for postal workers as federal employees? To maximize my benefits..."    

This Article is From: federaltimes.com Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Romney: nearly half of Americans "believe that they are victims."

Mitt Romney: No apologies, but 'victims' comment not elegantly stated

"...Romney plans no apology for stating that nearly half of Americans "believe that they are victims." Instead, he is expected to respond to questions about the statement by reinforcing the message he delivered at a hastily called news conference Monday night, in which he said Obama favors "a government-centered society" with people dependent on public support...."    

This Article is From: www.newsday.com Read our latest posts! .

Monday, September 17, 2012

Postal employee goes home with no heart

Postal worker leaves hospital without heart

"...A 64 year old postal worker went home from the hospital, without his heart. Now the world's only artificial heart is keeping him alive. Leroy Hanes is now home, all because of a portable power supply..."    

This Article is From: www.koaa.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, September 14, 2012

Carriers: Restoration Hardware catalog a whopper to deliver

Restoration Hardware catalog a huge feat

"...The new Restoration Hardware catalog has been landing – with a thud – in mailboxes across the country, weighing in at a whopping 5 1/2 pounds...."    

This Article is From: www.news.ruralinfo.net Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Only 2,952 Mail Handlers take small buyout incentive, while almost 20% of postmasters take larger buyout cash

3,000 mail handlers accept buyouts

"...More than 4,100 career postmasters — almost 20 percent of the total — signed up for $20,000 buyout and early retirement offers, the Postal Service said last month. Almost 3,800 had left by the end of July; another 330 are set to go by the end of September...."    

This Article is From: www.federaltimes.com Read our latest posts! .

Will congress halt damaging postal plant closures?

Congress faces continuing resolution, sequestration and postal reform

"...Amid the election-year politicking, the list of unfinished business also includes legislation to restructure the financially ailing U.S. Postal Service and a cybersecurity bill that aims to safeguard the nation's critical infrastructure...."    

This Article is From: www.federalnewsradio.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, September 7, 2012

Opinion: Postal Service ought to be serving and negotiating with all direct mailers in a nondiscriminatory manner

Valassis' sweet deal a sour pill for everyone else

"...Suddenly — and "suddenly" is the appropriate word since the USPS' deal with Valassis was made effective immediately — newspapers, and everyone else in the direct mail business, found themselves in competition with a company that had secured a sweetheart arrangement with a government agency...."    

This Article is From: tdn.com Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, September 6, 2012

New Haven, CT MPO - Mechanical & Building Automation System Upgrade

New Haven, CT MPO - Mechanical & Building Automation System Upgrade

"...There will be a pre-proposal for this project held on September 12, 2012 beginning at 10:00 a.m. on site. Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. On-site visits may be arranged by contacting Richard Bryant, Manager, Maintenance, at (203) 782-7351. Technical inquires are to be addressed to Project Architect Evelyn Cole Smith of CME Associates, Inc. at (860) 928-7848 or USPS Project Manager Robert A. Giulietti at (860) 285-7176...."    

This Article is From: govwin.com Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Mail Carrier dies due to heat

Missouri Mail Carrier’s Death Due to Heat

"...Watzlawick’s wife, Kay, said her husband had been feeling ill from the heat the day before he died and asked to be relieved from work early. But he told her a supervisor said no because he had been on vacation the week before when he was recovering a medical procedure on his knee. ..."    

This Article is From: stlouis.cbslocal.com Read our latest posts! .

Old postal manuals found

Postal manuals from 1940s donated to national museum

"...Buried in the corner of an unused closet for at least 35 years, the book was recently found by Clermont Postmaster Sandy Perkins, who was looking through a dust-covered box at the post office building...."    

This Article is From: www.courier-journal.com Read our latest posts! .

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Postal worker helps bust alleged oxycodone...

Postal worker helps deliver suspect to cops

"...Carl Desert, 30, was arrested Friday in the courtyard of his apartment complex, where police and the postal inspector say he identified him-- self as the occupant of the address and even signed for the package. Inside were 1,345 oxycodone pills hidden..."    

This Article is From: bostonherald.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, August 31, 2012

Federal Duck Stamp Program

Duck stamps that boost wetlands, birds aren’t just for hunters

"Federal Duck Stamp... The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says 98 percent of proceeds from sales of the stamp are used to acquire and protect vital wetlands supports hundreds of species of migratory birds, wildlife and plants. The stamps can be purchased from the U.S. Postal Service, from some sporting goods shops and online. Since the program’s inception in 1934, Federal Duck Stamp sales have raised more than..."    

This Article is From: www.spokesman.com Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Employment Verification Number for Postal Workers

USPS Employment Verification Number Help

"...he Postal Service Employment Verification. The following will provide you with the information needed to verify employment with the U.S. Postal Service. We are not affiliated with the U.S. Postal Service or..."    

This Article is From: Employment Verification Number Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Early outs (VER) offered to 3,300 more postal employees

USPS offers early outs to 3,300 workers

"...With consolidation plans moving forward, the Postal Service is further trimming its workforce. To avoid lay-offs, this week the mail agency offered early outs to more than 3,300 employees who will retire Dec. 31, 2012. ..."    

This Article is From: www.federalnewsradio.com Read our latest posts! .

POStPlan implementation to begin ...welcome to the new Postal DisService

Trouble ahead: The PRC gives POStPlan a green light

"...point of interest in the advisory opinion. The PRC ran some numbers and produced a list of ten post offices it considered misclassified as Level 2 and 4 because the Postal Service had not correctly calculated the distance to the nearest post office. The Commission suggested that these post offices be reclassified as Part Time Post Offices (PTPO), open six hours a day. ..."    

This Article is From: savethepostoffice.com Read our latest posts! .

Saturday, August 25, 2012

The postal service brought radical change to American retailing

How the postal service revolutionized American retailing

"...at a time when Americans were increasingly attentive to the way high distribution costs were driving up prices, a low-cost parcel post seemed like an obvious way to make the average family better off.

The ascension of Progressive Republicans and Democrats in the 1910 congressional election sealed the deal. President William Howard Taft endorsed the parcel post, and Congress directed the Post Office to begin carrying packages as of Jan. 1, 1913...."    

This Article is From: www.post-gazette.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, August 24, 2012

Elaborate doping program on Armstrong's Postal Service teams

US doping agency erases Lance Armstrong's titles

"...USADA, which announced its investigation in June, said its evidence came from more than a dozen witnesses "who agreed to testify and provide evidence about their firsthand experience and/or knowledge of the doping activity of those involved in the USPS conspiracy," a reference to Armstrong's former U.S. Postal Service cycling team...."    

This Article is From: www.hanfordsentinel.com Read our latest posts! .

More big mailer discounts as postal service goes broke

Postal commission OKs ‘junk mail’ discount plan

"...“NAA believes this decision is contrary to law, and will challenge it immediately and vigorously,” said NAA Chairman James Moroney, the publisher of The Dallas Morning News. The commission dismissed the newspapers’ damage estimate, saying in its order that “newspapers’ claims of harm..."    

This Article is From: www.dailyherald.com Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Social Security can be docked for unpaid student loans

Feds Dock Social Security for Unpaid Student Loans

"...retirees are learning that defaulting on student-debt can threaten something that used to be untouchable: their Social Security benefits...."    

This Article is From: socialsecuritynewsgroup.blogspot.com Read our latest posts! .

USPS ZeroTolerance Arb Award 7-13-12

Arbitrator: Postal Service covered up misconduct by Redondo Beach supervisor

"...The U.S. Postal Service covered up years of serious misconduct by a supervisor at the Redondo Beach post office and ignored complaints made by employees there, an independent labor arbitrator has ruled. ..."    

This Article is From: www.dailybreeze.com Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Congressman Paul Ryan and his UPS connections

What can Brown do for you? Congressman Ryan's UPS Express

"...In addition to visiting UPS headquarters on UPS’ dime, Ryan has received significant campaign contributions from the shipper. According to OpenSecrets, in 2000, UPS gave him $10,000, making it his fourth-largest contributor for the election cycle. Over the course of his career, Ryan has received over $48,000 from UPS, which puts the company in his top 20 contributors (Koch Industries is sixth, with $63,000). ..."    

This Article is From: savethepostoffice.com Read our latest posts! .

PMG should focus on growing the business, not reducing services and delivery standards

Postmaster gives direct message about mail's future
"...Donahoe’s policies should focus on growing the business side of the U.S. Postal Service instead of cost-cutting measures, expected to cost about 100,000 workers their jobs across the nation. To make matters worse, Blaisey predicted Donahoe’s drastic measures would alienate rural citizens and others who depend on the U.S. mail. ..."    
This Article is From: www.columbian.com Read our latest posts! .

USPS over-produced $1.2 Million Worth of ”The Simpsons” commemorative stamps

USPS Stuck With $1.2 Million Worth of Unsold Simpsons Stamps

USPS
"...The United States Postal Service printed one billion “The Simpsons” stamps to commemorate the shows 20th anniversary. However, they were only able to sell 318 million of them. This left the USPS with 682 million stamps, unfortunately washing $1.2 million dollars worth of printing costs down the drain. ..."    
This Article is From: www.inquisitr.com Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Danny K. Davis (D-IL) urged union members to fight back against “evil-doers” who would destroy the Postal Service

Rep. Danny Davis: If We Fight, We Win!

"...“If we slip back,” he warned, “the rich will get richer while the poor get poorer and the middle class is squeezed practically out of existence — a world where our jobs are downsized, privatized, outsourced or outright eliminated. Where there is no collective bargaining, where workers have virtually no rights, and where even people’s pension funds are in jeopardy.” ..."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Saturday, August 18, 2012

COLA increase for APWU represented employees

COLA Increase
"...APWU members will receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of $375 per year in September 2013, in accordance with the 2010-2015 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The raise is the result of an increase in the consumer price index (CPI-W) since January 2012. It is the second COLA under the contract. The expected effective date is Sept. 7, 2013 (Pay Period 20-2013)...."    
This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Postal Workers thrown from post office rooftop

Syrian Atrocity: Bodies of Postal Workers Thrown from Roof

Syrian Atrocity: Postal Workers
"...footage displays a crowd of people callously throwing the bodies of slain postal workers from a post office rooftop...."    
This Article is From: Postal News Read our latest posts! .

Monday, August 13, 2012

USPS Sandusky child porn investigation

"...Sandusky, convicted in June on 45 counts of child sex abuse, is reportedly the focus of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service, which is looking into whether he sent child pornography across state lines, CBS News said Friday...."    

This Article is From: www.detroitnews.com Read our latest posts! .

facebook testing postcards

Facebook experiments in postcards

"...Big Face is working with a small group of users, giving them the option to turn their pictures into postcards and mail them off to their friends. It says pricing is still being worked out, although the app Postagram does a similar function with Instagram pics for $0.99 a pop...."    

This Article is From: www.marketplace.org Read our latest posts! .

Tucson mail clerk indicted for mail theft

GV mail theft complaint leads to conviction

"...After investigating, the OIG turned its information over to the United States Attorney’s Office, which led the federal grand jury that indicted Fernando Cardenas, 60, of Tucson, a mail clerk at the USPS Tucson Processing and Distribution Center, of two counts of mail theft and one count of possession of stolen mail...."    

This Article is From: www.gvnews.com Read our latest posts! .

Saturday, August 11, 2012

APWU 'Union Retirement Incentives' coming for elected officials? (Editorial by Bill Burrus)

PLAN B

"... Elected positions throughout the union, including Business Agents and Resident Officers would be cherry picked for retirement incentives and would receive an amount determined by the executive board or president. This amount is expected to exceed $40,000 per incentive, sufficient to encourage the officer to retire. So for each officer who earns in the range of $100,000 or more per year, a postal retirement, plus 30 days severance pay, and unused annual leave will also be paid an incentive that is targeted on a personal level..."    

This Article is From: burrusjournal.org Read our latest posts! .

Donald Trump goes postal!


"...has selected the Trump Organization as the preferred team to redevelop the Old Post Office building and annex located in downtown Washington, D.C. Selecting the Trump Organization to redevelop this historic property represents a significant step in turning this underused Federal property into a mixed-use development..."    
This Article is From: news-postal.blogspot.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, August 10, 2012

APWU layoff protection arbitration ...the downside of excessing or transferring to other crafts

Arbitrator Rules on Protection Against Layoffs

"...Arbitrator Stephen B. Goldberg ruled [PDF] on Aug. 1 that employees represented by the APWU who transfer to or are excessed into non-APWU crafts may not carry the protection against layoffs they have earned under the APWU Collective Bargaining Agreement to their new crafts. ..."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Mary Fields biography - Postal History

Mary Fields

"...In 1895 she found a job that suited her, as a U.S. mail coach driver for the Cascade County region of central Montana. She and her mule Moses, never missed a day, and it was in this capacity that she earned her nickname of "Stagecoach", for her unfailing reliability. ..."    

This Article is From: www.lkwdpl.org Read our latest posts! .

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Postal Service Back-Up Plan: Selectively skimp on financial obligations

Postal Service could run out of cash in October

"...The Postal Service has a back-up plan to conserve cash so it'll be able to deliver mail on time and keep the lights on at post offices. It would skip paying into the federal retirement system and would skimp on workers compensation payments due to the Department of Labor...."    

This Article is From: cnn.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, August 3, 2012

APWU retirement incentive update

"...discussions are continuing, APWU President Cliff Guffey has reported. “I understand that there is great interest in this topic among some members, but it is simply not feasible or smart to conduct negotiations in public,” he said...."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Former postal worker makes it big with unofficial postal clothing line

Former Brooklyn postman makes it big with his unofficial postal service clothing line worn by 30,000 workers

Marty Grace, 45, a former Brooklyn postman has made it big time with his self-designed, unofficial brand of US Postal Service Apparel worn by over 30,000 workers across 27 states.
Marty Grace
"...Marty Grace, who quit his 22-year job as a mail carrier in 2007 at a Bedford-Stuyvesant post office, now designs T-shirts, hoodies and polos worn by over 30,000 postal workers around the country who rock “Designs by Marty Grace” on the job as opposed to the drab United States Postal Service uniforms...."    
This Article is From: nydailynews.com Read our latest posts! .

Postal impersonator robs condo residents

Fake postal worker led robbery of Cherry Hill condo residents

"...Authorities did not say if the incident was linked to a similar home invasion in Northeast Philadelphia on July 17. In that case, a man posing as a postal worker, stole cash and jewelry from an elderly woman’s home...."    

This Article is From: www.courierpostonline.com Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Federal Jobs and Veteran's Preference Points

Veteran's Preference Points and Federal Jobs

"...By law, veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over non veterans both in hiring from competitive lists of eligibles and in retention during reductions in force. The goal of the Veteran's Preference is not to the place a veteran in every vacant Federal job. However..."    

This Article is From: militaryvet.blogspot.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, July 27, 2012

Underground prison mail system: Communication between inmates via mail

Pelican Bay inmates communicated via underground mail

"...A gang leader housed in solitary confinement at Pelican Bay can send coded messages to an outside mail box address set up by a gang follower, who then re-directs the message to a second inmate housed in a separate unit at Pelican Bay, or another state prison. One such exchange of information via a Sonoma County mailbox foreshadowed a deadly prison riot on Feb. 21, 2000, at Pelican Bay...."    

This Article is From: Read our latest posts! .

She's cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs! ...and a mail scam to communicate with prison inmate

Accused Killer in Washington Demands Cocoa Puffs in Jail, Claims It’s Her Constitutional Right

"...Grigsby already has been disciplined for trying to brew alcohol in her cell and communicating with Pedersen via a mail scam...."    

This Article is From: www.frugal-cafe.com Read our latest posts! .

Monday, July 23, 2012

USPS hiring temp mail handlers after offering $15,000 to reduce mail handler staffing nationwide

USPS looks to fill 45 temp positions
"...After nearly closing the William Street processing center in Buffalo in a move geared towards consolidation, the USPS is now putting out the "help wanted" sign..."    
This Article is From: National Postal Mail Handlers Union - Local 317 Read our latest posts! .

Retired postal employee leaves art collection worth hundreds of millions of dollars

Great American Art Collector Herbert Vogel Dies

Laumede #16 Gregory Amenoff

"...Slowly, deliberately, but with the eyes of true connoisseurs, the Vogels built up their collection, which some estimate at about 5000 pieces, all on the combined modest salaries of a librarian (Dorothy) and postal worker (Herbert). That collection is now worth incalculable amounts: hundreds of millions of dollars, and climbing,..."    
This Article is From: www.forbes.com Read our latest posts! .